HUNGRY HORSE, Montana – The Bureau of Reclamation invites the public to comment on the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed Hungry Horse Powerplant (HHPP) Modernization and Overhaul Project. The powerplant is located at Hungry Horse Dam in Hungry Horse, Montana.

The 10-year project involves modernizing and overhauling the powerplant to provide electrical power generation for an additional 30 years, while maintaining operations for flood risk management and fisheries resources. Many of the powerplant components have reached or exceeded their intended service life. They show problems stemming from age-related wear that could potentially result in increased failures and longer forced outages, more challenging repairs due to obsolescence and unavailability of spare parts, and higher operation and maintenance costs.

Reclamation is evaluating three alternatives in the draft EA, including a preferred alternative:

Alternative A - No Action Alternative: Reclamation continues to operate the four hydropower generating units with no planned powerplant overhaul. Maintenance and repair would be performed on an as-needed basis.

Alternative B - HHPP Modernization - Two Generating Units Offline for Four Years: Work would be conducted on two generating units simultaneously for four years and single generating units for six years.

Alternative C - HHPP Modernization - Two Generating Units Offline for One Year (Preferred Alternative): Work would would be conducted on two generating units simultaneously for one year and individual generating units for nine years.

The draft EA is available at https://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/ea/montana/hungryhorse/index.html. Please send your written comments to Ms. Pam Druliner, Natural Resource Specialist, Bureau of Reclamation, Pacific Northwest Regional Office, 1150 N. Curtis Road, Suite 100, Boise, Idaho 83706 or by email, pdruliner@usbr.gov. You may also contact her for additional information or to obtain a hard copy of the draft EA. Comments are due no later than Nov. 6, 2107.

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Reclamation is the largest wholesale water supplier in the United States, and the nation's second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Its facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR.